Job Advertisement HKI-57/2025

At the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), we investigate the pathobiology of microorganisms and develop new natural product-based active compounds for the treatment of infectious diseases. As part of the structured doctoral program International Leibniz Research School ILRS 2.0 we invite talented candidates to apply for a position as

Doctoral Researcher (m/f/div)

for four years.

Project title: Candida albicans lipases as microbiome modulators

Research Area:

Fungi are an integral part of the human microbiome, and they interact with the host and the bacterial community members in a myriad of ways. Candida albicans is an important fungal pathogen, but also a ubiquitous commensal of humans. Since it lives mainly in the gut, C. albicans is part of this large metabolic network of microbes, the balance of which is strongly affected by the host’s diet. How fungi and bacteria interact on the metabolic levels is, however, still incompletely understood.

This project will focus on an unusual feature of C. albicans, a large family of extracellular lipases that we recently found to be involved in commensalism and fungal-bacterial interactions. We saw that these lipases process dietary lipids, allowing the fungus to grow, but also to modulate growth of specific bacteria in the gut – with surprising effects on the host. How these lipid-driven interactions happen and what the outcome is for the microbiome composition and the host’s health, will be investigated with state-of-the-art genomic, transcriptomic and molecular biology techniques. The project will be part of a wider investigation of the many aspects of C. albicans’ adaptations to the host environment.
Background: Schille et al. Nat Rev Microbiol (2025); Katsipoulaki et al. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev (2024); Liang et al. Nature (2024)

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, or related disciplines. Candidates about to obtain their degree are welcome to apply.

  • Strong experimental background in molecular biology, microbiology, and/or biochemistry.

  • The candidate should be willing and able to work in an international, interdisciplinary research team.

  • Very good communication skills in English.

We offer:

  • Cutting edge research facilities and world-renowned faculty

  • A highly communicative atmosphere within an energetic and interdisciplinary scientific network

  • Integration into the structured and interdisciplinary doctoral training program ILRS 2.0

  • Jena – City of Science, a young and lively city with a vibrant local cultural agenda

  • Salary is paid according to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees).

The successful candidate will be hosted in the Department Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms and jointly supervised by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hube, Dr. Sascha Brunke and Prof. Dr. Gianni Panagiotou (Department Microbiome Dynamics). The Leibniz-HKI is embedded in the outstanding scientific environment of the Beutenberg Campus providing state-of-art research facilities and a highly integrative network of life science groups.

Further information:

For more information about ILRS2.0, please click here.

Christine Vogler | christine.vogler@leibniz-hki.de

Applications:

Leibniz-HKI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It aims to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups in case of equal suitability. All qualified persons, regardless of color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law, will receive consideration for employment.

Complete applications in English should include a cover letter, a CV, a certificate of study/transcript of records, the addresses of three possible referees, and should be submitted via the Leibniz-HKI online application system. The deadline for applications is December 13, 2025. Selected candidates will be invited to a recruitment meeting in Jena in early 2026 for personal interviews.
 


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